Background African animal trypanosomosis is a major constraint to the rearing
of productive livestock in the sub-humid Sudan-Sahel zone of West Africa where
cotton is grown. Trypanosomosis is mainly controlled using trypanocidal drugs,
but the effective use of drugs is threatened by the development of widespread
resistance. This study tested integrated best-bet strategies for containment
and/ or reversal of trypanocide resistance in villages in south-east Mali
where resistance has been reported. Methods Four sentinel villages each from
an intervention area (along the road from Mali to Burkina Faso) and a control
area (along the road from Mali to Côte d’Ivoire) were selected for the study.
Tsetse control was based on deltamethrin-treated stationary attractive devices
and targeted cattle spraying between March 2008 and November 2009.
Trypanosome-positive cattle were selectively treated with 3.5 mg/kg diminazene
aceturate. Strategic helminth control using 10 mg/kg albendazole was also
undertaken. During the intervention, tsetse densities along drainage lines,
trypanosome infections and faecal egg counts in risk cattle (3 to 12 months of
age) were monitored. Results Catch reductions of 66.5 % in Glossina palpalis
gambiensis and 90 % in G. tachinoides were observed in the intervention area.
Trypanosome prevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the intervention
area (2.3 %; 1.3-3.6 %) compared to the control area (17.3 %; 14.8-20.1 %).
Albendazole treatment resulted in a faecal egg count reduction of 55.6 % and
reduced trypanosome infection risk (2.9 times lower than in the placebo group)
although not significantly (p > 0.05). Further studies are required before
confirming the existence of albendazole resistant strongyles in the study
area. Conclusion Integration of best-bet strategies in areas of multiple drug-
resistance is expected to reduce trypanosome infection risk thus contributing
to containment of trypanocidal drug resistance. Integrated best-bet strategies
could therefore be considered a viable trypanosomosis control option
especially in areas where multiple drug-resistance has been reported